Eli + Maddie :: 10 Years

Happy 10th Birthday, Eli and Maddie!

Last night we took a walk down memory lane to the day you were born. We talked about waiting for you, and Mommy's labor, and meeting you for the first time. How Eli was an only child for 31 minutes. How Daddy was left alone with 2 babies when all the doctors and nurses left the room and Mommy slept. And I was overwhelmed with the fact that it felt like a lifetime ago AND like it was just yesterday...

Ten. A whole decade. It felt like a lifetime while we were waiting for you, after all of the tears and prayers, and then suddenly, you both burst into our lives, and we were thrust into parenthood, not knowing what day it was, if we would ever sleep again, and so filled with joy, we could hardly stand it. Those first days of learning how to take care of the both of you were a blur, but they were still the BEST days. Or so we thought...because they days just kept getting better as you grew!

You both have filled our lives with so much joy and fun and life, and it is hard to believe that it has already been 10 whole years since we first met you both! You taught me what it means to be a mother; what it means to love and sacrifice and steward and nurture and train and disciple. I have had a front row seat to watch you both grow and it has been the absolute best thing. As I think back over the last 10 years, I am in awe of who you have become. How you have grown from those tiny babies into the mature young man and lady that you now are. It is such a joy to know you, your interests, and joys, and hearts. What a sweet gift to be your mom. Jesus is so kind and good.

I love you both so much, and I still refuse to let you grow up, my loves. But alas, here you are. Still growing. And I wouldn't miss any part of it.

Love, 

Mom

ELIJAH WINN

MADELINE GRACE

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Happy 10th Birthday, my loves! I'll just be over in the corner, wiping my tears, oh so proud of both of you. I love you both so much, and I can't wait for the next 10 years!

Trick or Treat :: Minions!

This was another fun year that Grandma and Papa got to join us for trick or treating. And the impossible happened: my kids agreed to a family costume! Apparently that's the trick...get Mom, Dad, AND Grandma and Papa in on the costume :)

To say that we had a lot of laughs and giggles and overall good fun is an understatement. What a great night of fun memories! I love that my kids were willing to go all in, that Grandma and Papa were too! And that we can just have silly fun together as a family.

Minions...to the moon!

I love that our neighborhood has fun with trick or treating, that they make it a fun night for the kids. They are generous with the candy, welcoming to kids of all ages, and we come across multiple fire pits and block parties where neighbors are out enjoying the festivities with one another. It truly is a great community!

We don't have too many years of trick or treating left, before it's our turn to bless others and pass out candy. So this was a fun one for the memory book :)